Brief Summary

Basic premise: STS is an evidence based treatment that uses empirical principles to compile an integrated treatment plan to identify procedures that optimize clinical change, based on clients’ personal qualities and problem characteristics. Therapists can use STS principles within or across theories to tailor treatment for their client’s needs.

Essence of therapy: STS is a “prescriptive psychotherapy” which guides therapists as they choose procedures and treatment modalities from a wide variety of approaches by following evidence driven principles of change. STS therapy integrates both cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic therapies with regard to clients’ coping styles.

Length: STS therapy is conducted within a framework of 8 to 24 sessions. The length varies with clients’ levels of functional impairment, readiness for change, and therapists’ flexibility to select and use effective interventions that fit the patient. The effects are generally retained over 6 and 12 month follow ups.

Self-help Books

Important Note: The books listed above are based on empirically-supported in-person treatments. They have not necessarily been evaluated empirically either by themselves or in conjunction with in-person treatment. We list them as a resource for clinicians who assign them as an adjunct to conducting in-person treatment.